Watch this

Watch this

Sunday 3 May 2009 19.01 EDT
First published on Sunday 3 May 2009 19.01 EDT

A Poet's Guide to Britain8.30pm, BBC4

All aboard this lyrical charabanc as dashing poet Owen Sheers looks at the life of William Wordsworth and his poem Composed Upon Westminster Bridge. With assistance from Simon Armitage, Sheers' journey encompasses Wordsworth's transformation from radical to poet laureate and takes in the paean to the metropolis, Wordsworth's sojourn in France and, of course, his time spent at Dove Cottage, Grasmere, with sister Dorothy. And they say that Romanticism is dead.

Compulsion9pm, ITV1

Based on Jacobean tragedy The Changeling, Joshua St Johnston's story of desire, duty and the things we do for lust does not end happy-ever-after. As the plot is transported to the milieu of a wealthy British-Indian family and an unwanted arranged marriage becomes the catalyst for carnal conspiracy, Beatrice-Joanna becomes Anjika, played by Parminder Nagra, while De Flores is Ray Winstone's Flowers. While she excels as the poor little rich girl turned tortured, wanton woman, he splendidly strides the line between creepy menace and irresistible sexiness. A dark, delicious romp, in every sense.

Endgame9pm, Channel 4

The story of the secret talks that led to the end of apartheid has a pedigree to make Crufts winners whine with envy. Written by Paula Milne (The Politician's Wife, The Virgin Queen, BBC2's upcoming Small Island), starring William Hurt, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mark Strong, and produced by David Aukin (who, as head of film at Channel 4, commissioned the likes of The Madness of King George and Trainspotting), it doesn't disappoint. Aside from minor quibbles, it's gripping, ambitious, taut, epic and detailed. If only Channel 4 took as much pride in drama series as it does in its single dramas.

Beyond a Joke9pm, ITV3

Promising to examine 20th-century social mores and cultural trends through the medium of sitcom, this high-end clip show features contributions from, among others, Tony Benn and Carla Lane as the discussion focuses on class. With the likes of Only Fools and Horses and Bread both ripe for such examination, the question is raised of what contemporary sitcoms have to say. My Family, Reggie Perrin, Gavin and Stacey: indicative of a civilisation in terminal decline. Discuss.